There is a rumour flooding through our hall at the moment. In itself, that isn’t unusual because there are always rumours and stories but this one is quite serious and I fear that it may be true: one of the very few decent guards is leaving.
I think I’ve written before about the way we’re treated by guards. It ranges from the complete disregard and lack of care to the verbal abuse and physical aggression; it’s really bad. However, the guard who may be leaving is not like that.
He treats us humanely and with dignity. Of course he ensures that the rules are followed and I have no doubt that in a confrontation he would be very handy indeed but he knows how to talk to people and (I should probably whisper this next bit) he acts professionally.
This guard takes an appropriate interest in us as individual human beings, he speaks at a level and with a tone that would be regarded as “normal”, he smiles if appropriate and shows genuine concern about our welfare.
He speaks to people in a language they understand so for some he has the rough swearing banter (because that’s what they want and are used to) and for others he speaks calmly and respectfully without the swearing.
The key thing, though, that makes him almost unique is that he is effective. He gets things done, answers questions, doesn’t just palm us off and if he doesn’t know an answer, he’ll say so and then go and find out. He engages his brain and uses common sense so he is both effective and pleasant.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some other effective guards but they are also vile bullies and there are some who are vaguely pleasant but they are totally ineffective so the fact that this guard is both effective and pleasant is almost unique.
As you may well imagine, we’re a little saddened by this (if we could be any more sad in here). I actually don’t know why he became a prison officer. I do appreciate the attraction of a job with no entry qualifications that will take anybody on and give them (for what they do) a reasonable wage in the public sector with a decent pension. If you’re a bully it’s an ideal job, there’s also a lot of potential for overtime and, at the end of the day, it’s a very easy job but this guard seems better than all of that.
I would have thought the fire service would be better for him or maybe even the police but you know what? For now, I’m pleased he’s here because, for now, he makes me feel like a person and not a number.
NaN.